He made the declaration at the beginning of March in the presence of members of the government, military, civil and judicial authorities as well as members of the diplomatic corps.

The president has also said he would work actively to ensure the conditions for a rapid return of those who left the country for political reasons.

While on his first international trip to the neighbouring Republic of the Congo in February, he urged tens of thousands of political exiles to return home, saying everyone would be needed to move Congo forward.